Swimmer&#39;s appliance



Sept. 3, 1929. p E GREER 1,727,202

SWIMMER S APPLIANCE Filed May 9, 1928' Inventor Attorney Patented S ept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES PERCY E. GREEK, OF COLUMBIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWIMMEBS APPLIANCE.

Application filed May 9,

The present invention relates to improvements in swimmers appliances, and has reference more particularly to a device, to be used by persons just learning to swim, and has for its prime object to provide a means whereby fresh air may be supplied to the lungs while the head is submerged in the water.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a swimmers appliance of the above mentioned character, that will not interfere with the use of the arms or legs of the swimmer, a buoyant member being provided for normally holding the fresh air inlet member above the surface of the water, so that the swimmer wearing the appliance will not swallow any water while breathing fresh air.

A further object is to provide a swimmers appliance of the above mentioned character,

which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the nature of the invention proceeds, and when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the swimmers appliance embodying my invention, showing the same in use.

Figure 2 is a view taken at right angles to Figure 1, a portion of the buoyant member or float being shown in section.

Figure 8 is a top plan view, and

Figure 1 is a sectional view, taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking downwardly.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention the numeral 1 designates generally my improved breathing appliance, the same comprising a buoyant member or float 2, which is preferably a hollow rubber ball, a weight 3 being provided at the bottom thereof to maintain the same in an upright position so that the air inlet head 4,

which is cemented on the top of the rubber ball will be maintained above the surface of the water.

This fresh air inlet member l is in the form of a nozzle that is open at its upper end and is formed in its sides at diametrically opposite points with openings, into which extend 1923. serial No. 276,318;

the upper ends of the opposed rubber tubes 5 p and 6 respectively. The upper portions of these tubes are cemented to the rubber ball 2 at diametrically opposite points, the intermediate portions of the rubber tubes being disposed downwardly in spaced relation to form a head encircling yoke, and the lower ends of these rubber tubes gradually converge and are disposed upwardly for disposition within the rubber mouth piece 7 that is substantially solid withv the exception of the two vertical openings to accommodate the ends of the rubber tubes and formed on the bottom of the mouth piece is the guard 8, that fits against the front of the mouth, as shown in Figure 1. The lower end portion of the mouth piece is formed with indentations 9 to provide a gripping surface for the teeth, whereby the mouth piece may be properly clamped in the mouth bet-ween the teeth.

In use, the appliance is placed over the head of the swimmer, as shown in Figure 1, and the float 2 will maintain the fresh air inlet nozzle 4: above the surface of the water, and when the mouth piece is engaged in the mouth of the swimmer and the head of the swimmer is submerged in the water, fresh air may be inhaled through the tubes 5 and 6. The weight 3 will maintain the float 2 in a vertical position, so that the fresh air inlet nozzle 4 will, at all times be held in position above the water, so that there will be no possibility of the swimmer swallowing any water while inhaling fresh air.

The simplicity of my device, enables the same to be constructed at a very low cost and is especially adapted for use by persons just learning to swim. Also, the appliance is of such construction as not to interfere with the use of the arms or legs of a swimmer.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a swimmers appliance, a buoyant member, a fresh air inlet nozzle open at its upper end, secured on the top of the buoyant member, said nozzle being formed with fresh air outlet passages in the sides, a weight attached to the bottom of the buoyant member for maintaining the same in an upright position to hold the fresh air inlet nozzle above the surface of the water, a pair of fresh air tubes arranged on opposite sides of the buoyant member and having their upper ends ex-' 5 1 ing their upper end portions secured around the buoyant member at the opposite sides thereof, the upper ends of the pipes being arranged at the top of the buoyant member, a weight attached to the bottom of the buoyant member for maintaining the same in an upright position, a mouth piece through which the lower ends of the pipes extend, the intermediate portions of the pipes providing a head encircling yoke, the upper, intermediate and lowerportions of the pipes being arranged in the same plane, and a guard at the bottom of the mouth piece.

3. In a 'swimmers appliance, a buoyant member, a fresh air nozzle open at its upper end secured on the top of the buoyant member, said nozzle being formed with fresh air outlet passages in the sides thereof, a weight attached tot-he bottom of the buoyant member for maintaining the same in an upright position tohold the fresh air inlet nozzle above the surface of the water, a pair of fresh air rubber tubes arranged on opposite sides of the buoyant member and cemented thereto,

the upper ends of the tubes extending into the respective outlet passages in the fresh air inlet nozzle, the intermediate portions of the rubber tubes being spaced to provide a head encircling yoke, the lower ends of the rubber tubes gradually converging and being disposed upwardly, a mouth piece provided with air passages through which the upwardly disposed lower ends of the rubber tubes 4 extend, and a guard secured on the lower end of the mouth piece.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

- PERCY E. GREER. 

